With medical marijuana now broadly legal in Florida, what are the chances that cannabis will eventually be fully legal in the Sunshine State? A Tampa-based attorney is now leading that still-longshot effort.
Frank Gluck/The News-Press

Fort Myers Mayor Randy Henderson said the moratorium, which lasts through June, is for the city to work with the state in determining regulations for dispensaries.(Photo: Joe Rondone/Democrat)

Florida residents voted in 2016 to legalize medical marijuana in the state. Fort Myers' moratorium will likely be lifted before its sunset on July 1, Henderson said, once the city establishes rules for the implementation and regulation of dispensaries.

He said the council has received one application for a marijuana dispensary, and other businesses have shown the "wherewithal and interest" in opening dispensaries in the city.

Several attendees spoke during the public comment portion of Tuesday's meeting in favor of dispensaries, with a couple speakers urging the city to start approving licenses. Ward 3 council member Terolyn Watson said it's just a matter of determining a location in the city where a dispensary could operate.

If the state takes no action, Henderson and council members said they'd work independently to issue a permit for a dispensary.